Schedule & Events

Daily Schedule & Events

Workshops

Students select two disciplines to focus on, which they study through morning and afternoon workshops. These workshops are designed for all levels of experience, with a focus on each student’s individual interests and trajectory. All students benefit from professional instruction and create rich work for their creative portfolios.

Afternoons

Late afternoons are a time to stretch, move, and have fun. You'll choose from a variety of outdoor activities, such as soccer, kickball, yoga, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and farm chores. Several afternoons per session are dedicated to independent studio work, rehearsal, or writing.

Evenings

Evening Arts is an opportunity to select two activities that each meet for a series of five classes over the course of the three weeks. Students choose to join a teacher in an entirely different art form or you can continue to develop your skills in an art related to one of your main workshops.

Sing

Sing has been a central part of both The Putney School and Summer Arts for decades. We gather as a community each morning to sing from the Putney Sing Book—a diverse compilation of songs ranging from madrigals to sacred choruses to sea shanties to folk tunes from around the world, and songs of social protest. It’s uplifting, joyous, and a very memorable part of the summer experience.

Milk Lunch

A beloved Putney tradition, Milk Lunch is a mid-morning snack of muffins, scones, or other delicious offerings, fresh-baked in our own wood-fired bread oven.

Weekends & Special Events

Weekend events and field trips capitalize on the creative and natural landscapes of Vermont. Students enjoy field trips to a state park, a grange hall for a dance, local farms and towns, as well as on-campus activities like dorm games, faculty performances, fiction and poetry readings, dances, open studio time, and a film festival.

Final performances, Readings & Open Studios

On the final Friday morning of each session, from 9 am to noon, families and friends are invited to attend presentations, exhibits, and performances of student work, concluding with a final Sing at 11:30 a.m.